The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office is investigating a dog's death in Toms River.File photo

TOMS RIVER – Fumes from a car exhaust killed a dog in April and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the case after local authorities decided not to press charges, officials said Thursday.

The dog’s owner allegedly hooked a line from a car’s exhaust to a "makeshift" container to euthanize the dog, Toms River Assistant Attorney Anthony Merlino said.

“The Township has decided not to take any action within its jurisdiction,” Merlino said. “There were extenuating circumstances in the investigation that led the authorities to conclude that it was not warranted in this instance.”

At the July 8 council meeting, a “handful” of people showed up with signs and one person spoke during public comment asking questions, but was told there would be no comment due to the pending investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Merlino said.

Prosecutor’s office Capt. Jack Sramaty confirmed there was an investigation into someone killing their dog with exhaust fumes, but said the case is active and couldn’t provide additional details on Thursday.

Toms River police spokesman Ralph Stocco said the department was aware of the incident but Toms River Animal Control handled the investigation. Stocco said the police department was not involved in the investigation and referred questions to Merlino or the prosecutor’s office.

Monmouth County SPCA Chief Law Enforcement Officer Victor “Buddy” Amato said in general, it’s illegal to euthanize an animal using a car exhaust. Amato is not involved in the Toms River case.

“That is totally against the law,” Amato said. “You can’t just take your dog and stick it in the car, hook it up to the exhaust and gas it.”

Amato said if a person used exhaust to kill an animal in Monmouth County, they would be charged with animal cruelty. Several years ago, Amato said he charged someone in Keansburg with animal cruelty for using a car exhaust to kill a cat and was convicted.

If an animal needs to be euthanized, Amato said it should be taken to a vet to be done humanely.